Microsoft will partner with providers like Comcast and Verizon Communications for its upcoming Xbox-integrated TV experience, according to a Bloomberg report.
Users will sign into Comcast Xfinity and Verizon FiOS apps on the Xbox 360 with existing account information. Redmond will also likely ink content deals with HBO, Sony's Crackle, the Bravo and SyFy channels, and Amazon's Lovefilm, Bloomberg said.
Microsoft discussed its Live TV efforts at this year's E3 gaming conference, and the feature has already kicked off overseas with Sky TV in the U.K., Canal Plus in France, and FoxTel in Australia. Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer provided more details on what U.S. consumers can expect during a presentation at the company's BUILD conference earlier this month.
"It's quite obvious that we need to increase the amount of video and TV content that are available on the Xbox," Ballmer said. "Our goal this year is to dramatically increase the total amount of content, the total entertainment catalog available on the Xbox, particularly by working in partnership with a number of video suppliers."
"The content choices on Xbox will grow dramatically from hundreds of thousands to millions," Ballmer promised.
With that many options, discovery will likely be an issue, Ballmer said, which is where Microsoft's Bing search engine will come in—with voice-activated access. "You say it, Xbox finds it," he said.
Last month, Microsoft showed off the future of the living room, which incorporated Bing, Kinect, and the Mediaroom IPTV technology. As PCMag's Mark Hachman noted, AT&T and Microsoft unveiled AT&T U-Verse TV for the Xbox last October, but the Xbox does not serve as the primary receiver for the home; an additional DVR/gateway is required. That could change with these upcoming operator deals. For more, see Microsoft Tips Its Future Living Room.
Earlier this month, Microsoft also confirmed that Xbox Live will be coming to its revamped Windows 8 operating system.